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Thursday, 12 December 2013

This is a scheduled post (so fingers crossed you are getting this loud and clear). I'm currently visiting my mum and dad up North.

Well, I have for you today a card embellished with the oh so popular tash. I did it for a friend for his birthday (another one I didn't get round to posting...you have to forgive me, I have been busy of late with a lot of commissions).

I know, excuses, excuses.

Okay, onto the good stuff. Here we go...

What you need...

Dies: Mustaches (DR0410) - Lifestyle Crafts QuicKutz

Embossing folder: Mustache Set (657983) - Sizzix

Patterned paper: Kate & Co. "Oxford Lane" 6x6 pad - My Mind's Eye

Card stock: navy, white

Button: yellow

Baker's twine: yellow, navy, green

Gems: clear

Adhesives

What you do...

Create a top fold A6 navy blank and cover with a smaller piece of yellow plaid paper. use the mustache embossing folder to make a white background and adhere to the blank.

Die cut three different sized mustaches in yellow plaid, navy spot and green hounds tooth papers and attach to the blank. Print a sentiment onto white card and cut into a banner. Mount onto navy spot paper and adhere to the lower right of the blank, overlapping the edge. Knot a length of each colour of twine through the button, trim and fray. Glue to the left side of the banner. Finish with a gem on each mustache.

This card is so cool. Great for male birthdays or Father's day; any age too!

Today's lesson is now over. Thank you for stopping by and reading through my drivvle.

See you soon - ta ta! xxx

P.S. The spell checker kept highlighting the 'mustache(s)' - but it's the US spelling as on the die and embossing folder packaging. I know here in the UK it's spelt moustache - but if you want to source where to buy them, it's best to stick to the correct spelling for the US (hope that makes sense - I don't know what I'm waffling on about most of the time).

Die cut scallops along one edge of a piece of patterned
paper and trim so it measures 9.5cm x 13cm and mount onto a 13.5cm square blank. Wrap
and tie frayed parcel twine around the card and stamp 'Merry & Bright' in the bottom
right hand corner in Vintage Sepia.

Die cut and emboss the star in white card, mount it onto kraft card and trim. Distress it with Vintage Sepia and adhere to the blank with foam tape.

Create the embellishment by doubling over
florists wire, wrap it around a pokey tool to create a small spiral. Thread through a bead, pull taut so the spiral sticks in the
bead hole.

Make three of these, twist
together and arrange with three short lengths of pine stem. Wrap garden twine around to secure and tie in
a bow. Fray parcel twine and thread through a wood star (enclosing the
pine stems at the back), tie in a knot, positioning it on top of the bow. Glue to the right of the embossed star.

You can see the original kraft card version here. I think they look good both on white and kraft card.

I have resigned myself to the fact that I'm really not going to get any more Christmas cards made now. Although I think I will keep making the odd one and store it for next year (yeah, right).

There are a few Crafts Beautiful and PaperCrafter projects I still need to show you which are Christmassy.

The sets are based on the 'Born to Shop' range of products. There are over 50 stamps in total. These will be great to make a card for someone who you know likes shopping, shoes, chocolate :o} and who hates housework and ironing :o{

I must point out that these stamps have been opened and only a couple have been used once (cleaned and dried thoroughly), the rest are new. As I have to use current products for magazine work, I need to thin out my supplies occasionally, I won't use them again and it's a shame that no-one else will get the pleasure of these fun, quirky stamps. My giveaways are just a little thanks for all you lovelies who follow my blog.

2. Post a piccy of the candy with a link to this post in your sidebar (if you have a blog)

3. Leave me a comment (with your blog address if you have one) ta da! You are entered!

If you do have a blog, it will be great to have a look and see what you are up to :)

This candy will close on 31st December 2013, I will then use RANDOM.ORG to choose the winner!

The candy is open to all, nationally, internationally, those in outer space and previous winners. However, anyone who has a blog that does not show or appear to have any crafty makes, will not be entered.

Friday, 22 November 2013

It's the end of another week! I've been busy beavering away on commissions for Crafts Beautiful and PaperCrafter so I haven't really had time to post (or make many cards).

So, talking about commissions. Simon and I have some very dear friends called Liam and Alan (and their gorgeous Old English Sheepdog Millie). They own and run a five star B&B here in Thorpe Market. It is a gorgeous Grade 2 listed building which has been renovated beautifully.

They asked if they could commission me to design their Christmas card showing the front of The Green House. Of course I said I would be more than happy to. Here is a picture of the original illustration...

I created the illustration with pen and ink. I also used a bit of artistic licence and made it snowy and added a Christmas tree.

For the final card layout, a hint of colour was added just to the lights on the tree, a border and a sentiment.

Liam and Alan were so pleased with it. They sent it off to the printers to have 1000 cards printed...yes..1000!. The cards will be sent to family, friends and all the guests who have stayed at The Green House.

I have the honour of being given the first one off the print run and here is the finished card...

It was a great pleasure to do this card for Liam and Alan. It is such a wonderful building. If you ever fancy a night or two away in luxury five star accommodation located in a beautiful village near the North Norfolk coast then check out The Green House website for more information. http://www.greenhousenorfolk.co.uk/

Ooooh! So excited! Cosmo Cricket have posted a pic on their Facebook page of my Glad Tidings card. Thanks to Lucretia for pointing that out to me.

Friday, 15 November 2013

Yippee! It's Friday! I hope you are all looking forward to the weekend ahead.

I'm going to be busy with commissions. What better way to spend a cold Autumn weekend tucked up crafting? So there is no way I'm going to complain... only about the housework I'll have to do too. Bleugh! :o( I'll get up early tomorrow and get it done and dusted (excuse the pun).

So, onto another Christmas card. Again I have done a variation of one I made last year (click here to view).

I decided to use a muted colour palette (I know, not like me AT all). I recently purchased a paper pad Jolly Day by Cosmo Cricket, they do fantastic retro inspired stamps and papers and this doesn't disappoint.

What you need...

Patterned paper: Jolly Days 8"x8" Mini Deck - Cosmo Cricket

Stamps: Joyful Greetings - Paper Smooches

Ink pad: Vintage Sepia - Versafine

Buttons

Garden twine

Parcel string

What you do...

Cut five 2cm wide strips in varying lengths. Snip a notch from one end of each one. Attach to a cream top fold blank 12.5cm x 15cm, lining the top of each banner with the fold.

Select five buttons in co-ordinating colours. Thread and tie frayed parcel string through each and trim. On one button only glue a small bow made from garden twine. Glue a button to the bottom of each banner and finish with the sentiment stamped in the lower right corner.

This card is great for using those lovely co-ordinated paper pads because you get to use five different patterns. Of course, you could adapt this to any occasion, male or female. It's quick and simple too.

Right. I'm going to pop off now. People to do and things to see....

Thanks for stopping by, until next time xx

P.S. Dolly laid a double yolk egg this morning - three times the size of a normal egg! Bet that made her eyes water....

Monday, 11 November 2013

Ugh! The weather today is awful - wet, windy & cold. I know it's November, but a nice bright crisp day would be nice.

Anyhoo... I have another Christmas card to show you. It is a slight variation on the one I did last year (click here to view).

I decided rather than the bright red and green theme, I would do it more black and pink. I found a fantastic new collection by Lawn Fawn called Peace Joy Love. The collection has lovely simple images with a black, aqua, red, white and green theme with a subtle hint of pink in there too.

Stamp and colour in the image then die cut into a circle. Die cut a larger circle in the Klaus paper.

Adhere to the bottom of a 13cm x 15cm blank so that the circle are slightly offset and overlap the right and bottom edges. Trim any excess.

Stamp 'Define Good' above the circles on the right and finish with a few gems.

You can buy the Peace Love Joy 6" x 6" Paper Pad by Lawn Fawn and the Define Good stamp set at http://www.mymumscraftshop.co.uk/ or click on the shop in the sidebar. Plus there are lots more goodies for you to browse.

Okay, I'm going to sign off now, I have a commission for Crafts Beautiful to finish, but I'll be back soon with another card.

Have you got your copy of PaperCrafter? Issue 66 is out now. When mine dropped through the door I couldn't believe I've made front cover again! Wow!

This issue is packed with fantastic Christmas makes from cards to wreaths and decorations to gift wrapping (some of which are mine...I thank you).

The magazine is great value at £7.99, it comes with the kit which includes everything you need to get started right away. Use the projects in the mag for inspiration or go wild and come up with your own!

The kit includes paper strips to make paper chains, stickers, gift wrap, cards, papers, embellishments and so much more! The colours are beautiful icy blues, red, turquoise and gold.

You can save even more off the cover price if you subscribe, plus you get a free Christmas collection of stamps and papers from Crafty Individuals worth £28.00. For more details, check out www.papercraftermagazine.co.uk. If you have a current subscription you can renew it to receive the free gift.

On that note, I will sign off for now. I'll be back later with a Christmas card I've made using the Cricut Mini. Until then....xx

2. Post a piccy of the candy with a link to this post in your sidebar (if you have a blog)

3. Leave me a comment (with your blog address if you have one) ta da! You are entered!

If you do have a blog, it will be great to have a look and see what you are up to :)

This candy will close on 30th November 2013, I will then use RANDOM.ORG to choose the winner!

The candy is open to all, nationally, internationally, those in outer space and previous winners. However, anyone who has a blog that does not show or appear to have any crafty makes, will not be entered.

Thursday, 31 October 2013

Are you doing anything for Halloween? I just haven't had the time this year to get anything organised... I haven't made any cards or bought any candy or pumpkins to carve. Oh well! :o(

For those of you who are going trick or treating, have a good time and be safe (that's my Good Samaritan bit out of the way).

Okay, onto another Christmas card. Not long ago on one of my trips into Norwich, I saw this lovely box set of stamps by Yellow Owl Workshop (drool).Well... I had to buy it didn't I? It was calling to me and I am not going to ignore it as that would be rude.

You can also purchase Yellow Owl Workshop goodies from Fred Aldous (click here to have a goggle).

Sunday, 27 October 2013

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend so far. The clocks went back an hour last night here in the UK. Even though it's only an hour it really knocks your body clock for six - weird!

I forgot to show you my projects I did last month for the Christmas Special issue. I really enjoyed doing this Christmas set. They wanted me to do a stamping project using modern and unusual colours... so I did.

The first one, 'Twinkle, Sparkle, Shimmer, Shine' had four photo stages with the instructions and was the main project.

This one is called 'Bah! Humbug!'

I chose shocking pink, zesty lime and bright purple for the colour scheme. I think against the white background of the card blanks they really stand out and are an unusual colour combo for Christmas, but it does work.

To make these cards you will need...

Stamps: JOFY Collection 1 - PaperArtsy

Card stock: white, lime, bright pink

Promarkers

Ink pad: Onyx Black - Versafine

Embossing powder: Detail Clear - Stampendous

Gems: pink, lime, purple, white

Baker's twine: purple

Adhesives

I'm so in love with the JOFY stamps, they have a lovely quirky, sketchy look. They would also look good stamped and just left black and white, maybe with just a hint of one colour. Hmmmm... might have to give that idea a go.

Okay, so that's me for now. I'll post the projects I made for the November issue (out now) soon. You can of course visit http://www.crafts-beautiful.com/ for more yummy ideas, projects and inspiration.

Mount a piece of baubles paper 8cm x 10cm centrally to the top of a 12cm square blank.

Take a piece of green patterned paper 2cm x 10cm and trim a few millimetres from the depth; line up underneath the top section so there is a small gap.

Stick the chipboard sentiment to the left of the blank over the gap between the papers. Decorate with a few gems. Ta da!

The retrosketch #82 is such a simple, yet effective layout.

For this and more great layouts, visit http://retrosketches.blogspot.co.uk/. A new sketch is introduced every Saturday along with some wonderful creations by the design team. You can also re-create the sketch yourself and enter it into the weekly challenge.

The new 25th and Pine collection is really fab. It's packed with retro images and patterns in subtle shades of pale green, red, pink, navy and coffee brown. The collection is great for card making and scrap booking.

I'll sign off now, I'm just going out to collect the eggs the girls have just laid (they announce it very loudly that they have produced an egg).

I'm still waiting for Babs to lay her first proper egg, she's managed a couple of soft shelled ones, so hopefully in the next couple of days she'll do a perfect little hard shelled one :o}